Sound insulating materials and process of making



onset in, 19,1949 a I i D 2,476,306

UNlTED STATES; PATENT OFFICE SOUND INSULATING MATERIALS AND PROCESS OF MAKING Ellis Gray King, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania No Drawing. Application April 2, 1941, Serial No. 386,486 I 13 Claims. (Cl. 106-119) This invention relates to improved heat and condition. The foamed mixture of the cementisound insulating blocks. tious su5 stance and the in organic fiberm It is an object of the invention to produce a witiiojufifidditional reactive'iifaterialT is their substantially, totally inorganic, non-combustible caused to reagti. The reaction mayiie performed block having a great number of small and if- 5 y su Jec g e mixture to h temperatures, regular intercommunicating cells imparting to with it ut the addition 0 wrest?- g the block a. very low density. "The block has an superheated steam, A preferred process invo ves I improved resistance to moisture and exhibits the subjection of the mixture to steam in an autoi excellent e operties. clave or other suitable pressure vessel, in which A further object o the ven on is to provide case the employment of pressure and saturated 1 a process for efficiently and economically making steam permits the use of lower temperatures.

a block having the desired characteristics. In the preparation of the foamed mixtur a The improved block of this invention is comfoaming aent, such as samniii, soap bark pe :5

posed essentially of a cellular reaction product ones, ge a in, or albumen, is 0 great advant'ag g of anfir c fiber and an alkaline earth ce- Certain synthetic foaming agents which are un- L the fiber constituting the aflected by the cemen l ious material may be edient by weight in the used. The stability of such foams may be in 3' material and hem eferably at least creased and the amount of foaming agent rei- 'itllupiitjli"gathered. Besides the inorganic fibers quired may be considerably reduced by using 9. 5

and the cementitious material, additional fiaa small amount of sodium lignin sulfonate, the

tive material especially that of a siliceous 11 age, cheap by-p 1' ouct oite paperfi usfi sold under be employed in making the block. %File the trade designation "Plastiaidl This mate many blocks have been prepared heretofore from rial does not function one as a foaming agent mixtures containing small amounts of inorganic so it must be used in conjunction with such an fibers and'relatively large amounts of sand and 5 agent. The fibers have the function, during ime; in none of these cases has anything more the foaming, of acting as supports for the walls 'than a superficial reaction of the cementitious of the material surrounding the cells in the foam T1 material with the fiber been produced. In such and of preventing shrinkage during the pre-dry- 1. cases, the lime has been caused to react with the ing and reacting hereinafter described. Howsandto form a hard cement which is reinforced ever, further stabilization of the f I! o i by the relatively small amount of. fibers which to prevent drainage of intercellular fluid and any retain their original shape and composition and slow collapsing that might otherwise occur before (are merely embedded in the greater mass of the the partial drying is accomplished. This stabilicement. Attempts to make blocks in accordance zation is preferably brought about by imparting 1 with the proces es h re ofore d wi h 9- lar e to the foamed mass a 1, me condition. This proportion of the inorganic fibers resulted in condition may be impi' 'd' to the foam by ing products which are generally friable and subject corporatlng into the mixture rig rgtp tl g beating to 'rapid deterioration because of the lack of ang apggt ion thereof to the oamed con reaction between the fibers and the other atesmall perc'r'itage of bentonite of a w er-solu Lrials. In contrast with such blocks, those made 40 me or anic substance proauc g a fighly iasf om e at v y a e amounts fibers in cous soiuti'o'n', for example, a water-soluble celluj ance with'the invention in which the fibers are lose ether, such as or i reacted with the cemen'titious material to such mmatively, a ate ce u ose it peran ex e t as os their identity Within the sion has a suitable thickemng effect. I? desired, blocks are harder, stronger, and much less friable. mxj uxg pf mmt th s u amount or In addition, the blocks made in accordance with t u g th r with th hydrated cellulose the invention have a greatly increased number di egrio rniiy employed to advantage; "1' A a of large, irregularly-sized and irregularly-shaped 'Si'ii6tfie employment of bentonite involves ip rjij ihpnicat1n's'" h W335 "5f whicfi an inorganic material, it is tli 'preferi'ed thick are rough andhi'ghlylgogglg wh reby the sound enin ent for the foam. A representative pro absorbing apability of the blocks is enhanced. a oi"its use is therefore presented first. In era h p o ss mp y d is t pr du e A 2'%''to 5% (or' more concentrated) dis rsi f a foam in water from a mixture of the two 0; f bentonite of a mixture thereof with a I more reac an ncluding 'ffiiiibjr, all gysnch water-soluble ce ulose em -3 min or soap bark, in an amount from about 0.1% to 1% of thet otal weight of the dispersion is added. If desired, from /4 to 1% of Plasticagd may be present in the dispersion. Air may then be beaten into this mixture to pro'cluce a foam. However, snare beating the mixture into a foam, a small proportion of the alkaline earth cementi; tious material may be added, such additiorfth'ickening the be'fitonite suspension to a thixotroplc ndition so that it may be beaten to produce a foam having better stability. The inorganic fiber may then be incorporated into tfiefoam -regardless of whether it was produced with or without the addition of alkaline cementitious material, and thereupon the remaipder gf the cementitious material and anyid ditional reac; tive matfialfsuchas the siliceous material mentioned'above, may be worked in. The several pulverized non-fibrous materials that are added after the 'fiic'orporation'of the inorgamc fiber should preferably be mixed intimately with each other prior to mixingfthem into th e foam This procedurel'in jyhichthejnorganic fiber is beaten 15w the fidiidfioa before ariTgfeathrnount' mfieihhtitidus or iotfi fi fiilllvei' ilefit mate- "fnlns'addedfgivesynime complete "dispersion pr senters and a more uniform intermeshing thereof, thereby producing a stronger block. In this procedure also, there is less chance of forming pellets of the inorganic fiber and the final density of the block is easily controlled.

Alternatively, all of the pulverulent material (intlmat'ly' 'm'ixed with whatever other reactive pulverized ingredients are to be used) may be incorporated into the foamed dispersion of hentonite, or the bentonite dispersion may be beaten with aeration into a foam simultaneously with the incorporation of the pulverulent materials, the inorganic fibers being igcorporated into the mixture at the sam timgg j shgrtlythereafter. This procedure has the advantage of beingmore direct and simpler than that previously described. Regardless of 'which of the two alternative procedures is to be employed, it has been found that the order of the addition of the foaming agent (whensiih an agent is used) and the cementitious material, particularly if it contains free lime, to the bentonite dispersions is highly important, since the incorporation of the foaming agent into the mixture after such cementitious ingredient has been added always thins the bentonite dispersion to such an extent as to make it unsuitable for use. Quite unexpectedly and surprisingly, it has been found that by employing the proper orde r of incorporation of the several ingredients, fi'6tonlyis"the undesirable thinning of the bentonite dispersion avoided but instead a thickening of the mixture of the cementitious material containing free lime, foamagent, aria p ptirte ansersraian '5???- ected to impart to the mixture a viscosity much higher than it wold have had if no foaming agent were employed in the mixture. To obtain the maximum thickness, the free lime-containing cm'entltlofi fifaterial slim-19555653 9 mtcrtne dispersiiiififter thefoami: j been mixed or dissgfijeglherein. It has ,also 'Feemufid'tlia't the simultanfis incorporation of a mixture of such cementitious material with the foaming agent into the bentonite dispersion produces a dispersion which is about .as thick as would be produced by the addition of the cementitious material alone to the bentonite dispersion but is not nearly as thick as the solu.

4 tion prepared by the addition of the surface active material prior to the addition of the cementitious material containing free lime. These highly thickened dispersions of bentonite 5 containing both the foa n i ing ag egt and the cemen jijifi giisjgfigfire of generampplic'ii Bility in the production of cellular materials. If desired, those dispersions containing a foaming agent and cementitious substances which do 10 not contain free lime may have their consistency or thickness increased by the addition of or substance containing free lime or by the di- 1011 o s avin r va en cations, such as aluminum smfate, aluminum chloride in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 0.5% of the WI dispersion. G sum and ferric sulfate have a similar effect Bua in mark yless degree.

Instead of a Qentonite dispersion, a viscous solution of a water-solublHorganic substance such as a ce ose e er 0 correspon g concentration may use ut the foaming agent, the cementitious material and the fibers maybe added to this dispersion in any order. When a mixture of bentonite and the iscous or anic materi l is employed, me Brgac material in e orm of a solutionshouldpreferably be added tease bentqn i' te dispersion containing the foam; ing ag'er'it and the cementitious" material prapaidfis described above to obtaiifthe'ifiaximum thixotropic properties. When viscous organic materials of this sort are employed with bentonite, any order of mixing would be satisfactory, but the preferred order just described produces the most advantageous thickening. The employmerit of the viscous organic substance has the added advantage of imparting a certain adhesiveness and tackiness to the fluid medium which aids in pulling apart any pellets of the fibers and bringing about an intimate intermeshing thereof in the foam.

As a third alternative, a h drate llulose may be used'witFthe foaming agent, the gemenmions material and the fibers with or without a lien nntsasp r i nts shawl-lemurs assists-me A a (L idsbo'sity and consistency to adapt it to the formation of a stable foam. The hydrated cellulose may be obtained from wood 111 or cotton fibers bysubjecting them 5 mechanical m water as by a paper beater or a ball mill. Also a hydrated li ocellulose, such as gelatinized EC Which may E made By the co m I sawdust under water in a ball, rod, or colloid Elli? may be employed satisfactorily. When bentonite is used with the hydrated cellulose or lignocellulose, it is preferable that the maximum thickening be obtained by mixing the ingredients in the order specified above in connection with the preparation of the bentonite dispersion proper. In all cases wherein'hydrated cellulose or lignocellulose is used in making the insulating block, it is preferably employed in amounts to give a proportion of about 2 to 5% thereof in the final block.

In making up the foam, the ate to solids c5 rgt io is properly adjusted to assist in the shbili zation of the foam. Too little water produces a collapse of the foam while too much water produces excessive drainage and may produce a product having such light weight that it is not suificiently strong for the purposes for which it is intended to be used. Enough solids should be added to thicken the mixture, to take up the excess water, and to prevent drainage from the foamed mass. By adjusting the moisture content at this point of the procedure within the in the foamed block at the time it is subiectd' to reaction conditions exerts an important infiuence upon the final properties of the block. If there is more than about 40% moisture in the block at the time it is subjected to reaction conditions, the final product is highly chalky, weak,

and friable. Therefore, the block, immediately after extrusion or molding, is preferably subjected to a pre-drying process in which it is dried at a temperati'tf'mbout QQQ tg lQO: Q and at a relative humidity of about to 50% until it has a moisture content of not over 40% and preferably as low as about 15% to 20%. In the high-temperature reaction procedure without an autoclave, the pre-drying is preferably carried to a bong lry condition. In any case, prolonged sti'fid'ing in a wet condition is to be avoided during the drying procedure as it produces shrinkage, weakness, and a less permeable product.

While the prior art processes employed large amounts of water to produce light densities with a concomitant shrinkage and chalkiness in the final product, the present process employs large amounts of reinforcing fibers in conjunction with a stabilized foam to obtain low-density blocks substantially free of shrinkage. By pre-drying the foam, stabilized and reinforced as just described, chalkiness and friability in the final block is avoided.

The reaction conditions employed in making the block depend upon the nature of the inorganic fibers as well as the other components. Thej ljfai wogls listed hereinafter require a much less drastic treatment than such inert fibers as asbestos. A pre-dried block made from a mineral wool may be reacted by heating the mass at a temperature of about C preferably with the accelerating influence of highly superheated steam, for about an hour. Lower e cei iei'ititious mateil'ilracts with the mineral wool and the other ingredients present, such as the siliceous materials and the bentonite, thereby producing the highly porous block having a relatively homogeneous composition and numerous intercommunicating and irregular cells. Th0se blocks produced by reaction at high temperatures differ from those produced with steam under pressure to the extent that the steam-refinish-free mineral wool a em era lw ool are no longer o nizabTYheiiniWelieW distinctly novel product having an apparently homogeneous constitution in the final'bloekfm characteristic structure to the walls of the block because oftheir fibrous nature in the unreacted state and because of the change undergone during the reaction, thereby maintaining the large intercommunicating cells so that the final block has excellent sound absorption. During the reaction, it is probable that the pulverulent materials present in the cell walls of the foam migrate to the fibers as the foam structure rearranges during drying and at the elevated temperature of reaction, reacting with the fibers to form a highly porous unitary structure containing the large, irregular, intercommunicating cells. In those cases wherein the c i ellulos e ethers are used, t rslinastinaheeiaiiie there Somewhatim'iiiv'ed textur'ifi'th block and a characteristic spiral pattern, and also a somewhat improved strength and toughness apparently associated with the increased tackiness imparted to the fluid by these high molecular weight organic substances. Such blocks are also not as chalky as those produced from corresponding compositions without the cellulose ether.

The above-described conditions of reaction are suitable for such inorganic fibers as are generally designated by the expression mineral wool, including the amor hous wools prepared from fused mineral or synthetic com'posi tions and having a glass-like nature, such as rock wool, sla wool, glass wool, and similar wools hig in a umina, suc as anthracite ashgwool. KI! of these are compose 0 very fine 1n er aced mineral fibers having the appearance of loose wool or cotton being composed principally of silicate f calcium and aluminum and the expression mineral wool design ates wools of this type.

The alkaline earth cementitious material may be lime E dratedghfi Eolomitic lime, w, hydrated magnesia, Portmgmme, y or we 5 a e fime, hydraulic lime, barium oxide, sla ceme or a na a cement. The additional optional eactive matefi al, generally of a siliceous nature mployed include such materials as gttremflm, diatoma ceous earth silica, glass, san ,"fineliground slag or anthracite ash, artifi' ci'al' or natural poz'zTo' lanas fofahy other siliceous material, or mixture? of any of these. Obviously, any mixture of two or more of the different alkaline earth cementitious materials may be employed with or without any one or more of the several siliceous materials.

It is advantageous to use an oil-free or so-called oug this is not en a use is es a le for it permits more convenient preparation, requires less foaming agent in the batch, and eliminates the possibility of the oil present on the wool rendering the foam unstable and with stable foam there is less tendency toward shrinkage in the final .5 iected to the conditions described above with reference to the mineral wools, particularly one subjected to steam at 150 pounds per square inch, showed no appreciable reaction so that the final block contained the asbestos as distinctly recognizable fiber forms. The products resulting from acted products are hyqrosilicates while those re- 7 acted at higher tempera ures w hout an autoclave with or without steam are silicates It is believed that the inorganic fiber es rethe procedure described above and containing mineral wgg l have densities ranging from as low as about 9 to as high as 35 or more pounds per cubic foot, and exhibits surfaces which are onlyacting with the cementitious material to form a 7 5 slightly chalky or quite hard.,

,7 The following examples are illustrative of the product produced by this invention.

Example 1 One thousand parts of a dispersion containing 20 parts by weight of bentonite and 10 parts by weight of M opia Wei?)- beateii into a foa m and 612 parts of a mineral wgol were added to the foam with agitation.- one hundred and six parts of calcium hydroxide were then added and the ma'ssWas beaten tilla density of 0.703 gram per cc. was obtained. The molded block was predried to 25% moisture content, autoclaved two hours at 150 pounds per square inch steam pressure, and dried at 70 C. No shrinkage occurred during the drying. The density of the dried product was 21.5 pounds per cubic foot. This product had a porcelain-like ring.

Example 2 A solution of 10.2 grams of sapgnin in 600 grams oi w atgr was added to 408 grams of a 5% dispersion 'o'f bentonite. A mixture of 150 grams of calcium hydrfix ide'and 150 grams of Garspar (aihixtur'coriiiifising about 15% of powdered g lg. s s and about 85% of s i l i ca of such a particle size that about 99% passes a'25 mesh sieve) was sifted into the bentonite suspension and the suspensionwas agitated for five minutes and then transferred to a vessel where it was aerated and beaten to a light, stiff foam with fien'sify of 0.20 gram per cc. Then 450 grams of a coarse mineral wool (the product on the market specic y referred to as mineral wool) were added slowly over a nine-minute period with the mixer operating at a moderate rate of speed until a final deisity of 0.71 gram per cc. was obtained. The mass was shaped in a sheet iron mold, and the block was partially dried at 70 C. at 50% relative humidity to a moisture content f 36.4%. It was then autoclaved for six hours at 150 pounds pressure steam, and was then dried for sixteen hours at 70 C. The finished block had a density of 20.6 pounds per cubic foot.

Example 3 A solution of 12.6 grams of soap bark in 32 grams of ag was added to a mixture of 356 grams of 5% susjpnsjom of bentonite and 520 grams of ater. The solution was then thickened by the incorporation therein of 30 grams of a mixture of equal parts by weight of calcium hydroxide and Garspar. The mixture was then fri'fisferred to an aerating apparatus wherein the mass was partially foamed to about three times its volume, and then 410 grams of a coarse mineral wool were added over a period of four mm with continued agitation. The material was then beaten at a high speed for sixteen minutes in order to pull apart the mineral wool clots. Then 245 grams of the mixture of equal parts of calcium hydroxide and Garspar were added over a period of one and one-half minutes with mixing at a moderate speed. The mixture was then beaten at high speed for about twelve minutes to bring it to the desired density of 0.65 gram per cc. The molded block was pre-dried at 20% relative humidity at 70 C. to 17.6% moisture content and autoclaved for six hours at 160 pounds steam pressure and then dried for sixteen hours at 70 C. The density of the finished product was 19.8 pounds per cubic foot.

Example 4 A dispersion of 50 parts by weight of and 15 parts by weight of soap bark in 1100 parts by weight of water was place? is an aerating vessel and a mixture of 115 grams of active lime with 150 grams of potters gntwas incorporated therein with aeration. Thereafter 750 parts by weight of glass wool were incorporated into the foam. The mass was molded and pre-dried to a moisture content of 20%. The dried block was then Subjected stzmsasietrr sur of 125 pounds per square incli for a periodof ten hours. After removal of the product from the autoclave, it was dried.

Example 5 A dispersion of 20 parts by weight of gntgnite in 500 parts by weight of grater containing 10 parts by weight of saponin was thickened by adding a mixture of wears by weight of magnesgzgi g xidg and 1 part by weight of 19 and then parts by weight of hydroxy ethyl cell ulose dissolved in 500 cc. of wat'r was;

. incorporated? Thereupon, 1040 parts by weight a density of 15 pounds per cubic foot.

Example 6 Four parts of saponig in 212 parts of water and parts of a mlxture of hydrated 'lfinf and Garspar in equal proportions were'sddea to a s s srs ae of 12 Parts of anq srsthvlaa la ase in 188 parts of water. The nature was transferred to an aeratlng bowl and foamed to a Min ral wool was beaten into the foamed mass until "195 para of wool were incorporated. Thereafter, 45 parts of mineral wool and 30 parts of the lime and Garspar mixture were added and thoroughly beaten in. The foamed mass was molded at a density of 36 pounds per cubic foot, and was predried at 160 F. to 20% moisture content. The partially dried block was treated six hours with steam at pounds per square inch and dried. The finished block weighed 19 pounds per cubic foot. The surfaces had a pleasing character and were free of chalkiness.

Example 7 A dispersion of 20 parts by weight of bentonite in 1000 parts by weight of water containing 10 parts by weight of onin was thickened by the addition thereto of 480 parts by weight of Portland cement. Immediately after the addition of cement, 720 parts by weight of mineral 193i were beaten into the mixture. The wet mass having a density of 0.615 gram per cc. was molded and was pre-drled to a moisture content of 20%. The pre-dried material was subjected to steam at 150 pounds per square inch pressure for six hoursand was then finally dried. The finished block was strong, porcelain-like, and had no tendency to dust. Its density was 24.6 pounds per cubic foot. y

9 Example 8 The procedure of Example 1 but with the substitution of the ingredients listed below was followed:

' Parts by weight Glass wool (house insulating grade) 800 Barium oxide 249 Bentonite (5% dispersion in water) 400 saponin Water 870 The specific gravity of the foamed wet mix was 0.744. The finished block weighed 24.0 pounds per cubic foot.

Example 9 An intimate mixture of Garspar and calcium hydroxide (200 parts by weig'HF'of eacHT'W'd' stified into a dispersion of 18.8 parts of bentonite and 9.4 parts of s apo'fpifi in 940 parts by $333??? hour. The reacted blocks were cooled and had a grayish-tan appearance. Some of these blocks were partially sintered to produce a product of a lighter color by gradually reheating them (through one and one-half hours) in an oven to a temperature of 1185 C., maintaining them at this temperature for a quarter of an hour, and then cooling them.

I I Example 10 To 80 parts by weight of a 5% bentonite dispersion, 50 parts by weight of water, affid-5f8 Why weight of a wet cake of'fi'y dr'ated paper pulp containing 12.8% solids were added. A sold tion of 2 parts by weight of saponin in 24.5 parts by weight of water was add'dand the mixture was beaten in??? foam. Then 180 parts by weight of g ng and 120 parts by weight of ming al y gc l were added with heating. The foam stability was improved by beating into the mixture 55 parts by weight of a 2% bentonite gis;

ggrsion containing 1% of sapohiii and tT'ii'EEened e addition of a trae f lime. A foamed mixture of good molding consistency and a specific gravity of 0.55 was obtained. The molded block was dried to a moisture content of and was then autoclaved for six hours at 150 pounds per square inch steam pressure. When dried, the block had a density of 15.3 pounds per cubic foot and had a transverse strength averaging 27.4 pounds per square inch. The paper fibers were plainly visible at the surface of the block.

The products are substantially inorganic, fire resistant, non-combustible and highly stable. They do not take up moisture appreciably even in highly humid atmospheres and do not show any appreciable loss of strength even in humid conditions. They are useful for acoustical or thermal insulating applications or for filtering gases. They may be used in making partition walls wherever the loads are kept within the limits of the strength of the product.

While the invention has. been disclosed in terms of specific examples employing certain materials in definitely stated proportions, the description is intended to be merely illustrative. It is obvious that various modifications may be 10 made without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In the process'of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of a foaming agent, incorporating a mineral wool and a reactive alkaline earth cemehtitious substance therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, pre-drying the shaped mass to a'moisture content not greater than about 40%, and heating the mass to effect chemical reaction between said mineral wool and said cementitious substance.

2. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite containing a foaming agent, incorporating a mineral wool and a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, pre-drying the shaped mass to a moisture content not greater than about 40%, and heating the mass to efifect chemical reaction between said wool and the other substances.

3. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of a watersoluble cellulose ether containing a foaming agent, incorporating a mineral wool and a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, predrying the shaped mass to a moisture content not greater than about 40%, and heating the mass to efi'ect chemical reaction between said wool and the other substances.

4. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of a compound selected from the group consistin of hydrated celluloses and hydrated lignocelluloses containing a foaming agent, incorporating a mineral wool and a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, pre-drying the shaped mass to a moisture content not greater than about 40%, and heating the mass to eifect chemical reaction between said wool and the other substances.

5. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite containing a foaming agent and a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance, foaming said dispersion, incorporating a mineral wool therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, pre-drying the shaped mass to a moisture content not reater than about 40%, and subjecting the mass to steam under pressure.

6. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite containing a foaming agent and a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance, incorporating a siliceous substance and a mineral wool therein with aeration, shaping said foamed mass, pre-drying the shaped mass to a moisture 8. In the process of making a cellular material,

the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite containing a foaming agent, further thickening said dispersion by, incorporating 11 therein a reactive alkaline earth cementitious substance, adding thereto a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrated celluloses and hydrated lignocelluloses, and incorporating therein a mineral wool with areation, converting said foamed mass into a shaped mass having a moisture content of not greater than about 40%, and subjecting said mass to steam under pressure.

- 9. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite and a foaming agent, further thickening said dispersion by incorporating therein a thickening said dispersion by incorporating therein lime and a siliceous substance, foaming said dispersion, incorporating therein a mineral wool, converting said foam into a shaped mass having a moisture content of not greater than about 40%, and subjecting said mass to steam under pressure.

. 11. In the process of making a cellular material, the steps of forming a thick dispersion of bentonite containing a foaming agent, further thickening said dispersion by incorporating therein lime and a siliceous substance, foaming said dispersion, incorporatin therein a, mineral wool, converting said foam into a shaped mass having a moisture content of about 20%, and subjecting said mass to steam under pressure.

12 12. As an article of manufacture, a cellular block produced as set forth in claim 1.

13. As an article of manufacture, a cellular block produced as set forth in claim 5.

, ELLIS GRAY mNG.

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